Corytophanids - Common Basilisk, Basiliscus, Plumed Basilisk, Corytophanidae, Laemanctus, Western Basilisk, Corytophanes (Paperback)

Chapters: Common Basilisk, Basiliscus, Plumed Basilisk, Corytophanidae, Laemanctus, Western Basilisk, Corytophanes, Guatemalan Helmeted Basilisk. Source: Wikipedia. Pages: 30. Not illustrated. Free updates online. Purchase includes a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Excerpt: The Common Basilisk (Basiliscus basiliscus) is a lizard found in Central and South American rainforests near rivers and streams.The basilisk is part of the corytophanid family. It is also known as the Jesus Lizard, Jesus Christ Lizard, or Lagarto de Jesus Cristo for its ability to run on the surface of water. The Common Basilisk is named for the creature of Greek mythology made up of parts of a rooster, snake, and lion which could turn a man to stone by its gaze: the Basilisk. Its generic, specific and common names all derive from the Greek basiliskos () meaning "little king." The specific epithet was given in Carolus Linnaeus' 10th edition of Systema Naturae. Nicknamed the Jesus Christ Lizard, this extraordinary reptile may run on water when threatened. This spectacle can be readily witnessed; of all large lizards in Costa Rica, this species is the most commonly encountered, especially along streams and lakes. It is more numerous in the dry northwestern region of the country. Adults often bask in daylight near water when they are not foraging or resting. At night they sleep on perches close to the ground or as high as 20 m. When startled, the Common Basilisk escapes by speeding to the nearest edge of waterand continues sprinting. The lizard runs on only its hind legs in an erect position, holding its arms to its sides. This basilisk is so adroit on water because its feet are large and equipped with flaps of skin along the toes; when moving quickly, the lizard can cross a surface of water before sinking. On water it runs an average speed of 8.4 kph (or 5.2 mph), which ...More: http: //booksllc.net/?id=113869